Vehicle Duct Surface Heat Exchanger for Low-Drag Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat transfer systems in vehicles are limited in their ability to provide sufficient cooling or temperature regulation due to their impact on aerodynamic performance and packaging, especially as more vehicle systems require heat transfer assistance.
Innovation Solution
A surface heat exchanger is positioned within the interior of vehicle ducts, featuring a plurality of fins exposed to airflow, which forms a heat transfer fluid flow circuit with vehicle components and a pump, optimizing heat transfer by aligning the heat exchanger parallel to airflow direction and maximizing airflow interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional heat exchangers are positioned at the front of the vehicle to receive maximum airflow, then heat transfer capability is improved, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates and packaging space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is repositioned from the traditional front position to the side duct location, changing the spatial dimension of heat transfer. The heat exchanger core is oriented with its front surface facing the airflow direction, allowing airflow to pass over the front surface and through the core, achieving effective heat transfer in a side-mounted configuration that reduces aerodynamic drag compared to front-mounted radiators
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is nested within the existing side duct structure of the vehicle, utilizing the duct's airflow pathway. This integration allows the heat exchanger to benefit from the duct's aerodynamic design while providing cooling functionality, effectively hiding the heat transfer component within the vehicle's existing structure to minimize impact on aerodynamics and packaging
2Reliability
If more vehicle systems are equipped with heat transfer systems, then temperature regulation capability is improved, but device complexity and packaging constraints worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The side duct heat exchanger design serves multiple vehicle systems simultaneously. The same duct and heat exchanger configuration can provide cooling for engine, transmission, battery, or other components by connecting different heat transfer fluid circuits to the heat exchanger core, reducing the need for separate heat transfer systems for each component and simplifying overall system packaging
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple heat transfer functions are merged into a single integrated heat exchanger unit mounted in the side duct. The heat exchanger can handle multiple fluid circuits (engine coolant, transmission fluid, battery cooling) through a single compact core structure, reducing the number of separate heat transfer components and simplifying vehicle packaging
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances cooling and temperature regulation capabilities while minimizing aerodynamic drag, providing efficient heat transfer and improved packaging for vehicle systems and components.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of fins are configured to transfer heat to airflows interacting with the plurality of fins as the airflows pass through the duct
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of fins of the surface heat exchanger are exposed to the interior of the duct. The plurality of fins are configured to transfer heat to airflows
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a surface heat exchanger for a vehicle are described. In one embodiment, a surface heat exchanger includes a plurality of fins on a first outer surface The surface heat exchanger is mounted within an interior of a duct of a vehicle. An inlet of the duct is located on a side of the vehicle forward of a rear axle of the vehicle and an outlet of the duct is located rearward of the inlet. The plurality of fins of the surface heat exchanger are exposed to the interior of the duct. The plurality of fins are configured to transfer heat to airflows interacting with the plurality of fins as the airflows pass through the duct.